Tait's Fresh Start Bakery & Deli -
Where the Legacy Continues
BROCKVILLE - Everyone has their Tait's Fresh Start Bakery and Deli favourite.
And the chances are good that long-time bakers Jay Leroux and George Miedema made those fluffy rolls, the butterscotch pie, carrot cake or the famous peanut butter balls. The duo has been behind the scenes at Tait's creating your favourites since 1990.
"The history here is incredible," says Jay, who after years of working for other owners purchased the business himself 8 years ago. He has worked hard ever since to see that Tait's continues with a reputation for quality products and good food respectful of its long history dating back to founder John Tait in 1909. The story has it that John Tait once worked as a baker at Buckingham Palace before emigrating to Canada.
"I'm the caretaker of Tait's because it really belongs to Brockville and the area, our loyal customers," says Jay. He is very aware of how many of the recipes, including the ones he has introduced, continue to be top sellers. People come back if they can taste what they fell in love with on a previous visit.
"I have just always wanted to own (Tait's). That was my goal, even back to my apprentice days. They used to laugh at me when I said I would own it one day," says Jay.
Jay worked to become a professional baker and is provincially certified. He later set his sights on small business management courses in 2007 and developed a business plan, all with the desire to one day own the business. He wasn't successful with his first offer to buy it more than 10 years ago but he held on to the dream. By 2015, it finally happened.
"It was scary the first day. It was Thanksgiving and we ended up having a very good day," says Jay. He says he has learned a lot since then and made it through the pandemic. And all jobs within the business are fine with him. "I'm president, CEO - and the janitor!"
He credits his dedicated staff, both frontline and those helping bake and prepare foods, with helping keep the business a success.
"We call it the Tait's family. Even people who worked here long ago still come back to visit," he says.
Tait's customers can stop in and enjoy breakfast and lunch items. Sandwiches and subs are popular. Jay makes all of the savoury soups, mac and cheese, chilis and other lunch favourites. He and his team believe in time-honoured techniques, using the most wholesome ingredients and steering clear of preservatives and additives.
Jay has increased wholesale frozen meals, like his "comfort food" recipes for lasagna, roast beef and turkey dinners. You can purchase them at the store or at the Giant Tiger locations in Brockville and Prescott. Special orders and catering also make up a large part of the business.
Learn more about Tait's, their products and services, by visiting their website. Call them at 613-865-8800. Hours are Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tait's is located at 31 King Street West.
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